Many Canadians who have already spent the better part of a month shovelling and shivering through below-average temperatures and above-average snowfalls probably won’t bat a frosty eyelid as winter officially descends early Saturday.

Despite a jump in temperatures forecast for the weekend in Eastern and Central Canada, 95 per cent of the country should have a white Christmas — far higher than in recent years, says Environment Canada senior climatologist David Phillips.

… In Resolute, Nunavut, which is as close as he could get to the North Pole, Phillips predicted temperatures for Christmas look at -34 C, but with clear skies.

“Nothing should get in the way of blocking Santa from getting out and getting home. It looks like clear sailing.”